ATA Fleet

[ATAPIE757-300]

Well, as you can probably tell by my login ID-I really like ATA. I really like their planes and 90% of the staff that I've encountered have been very helpful and nice.

Does anyone know the exact fleet plans? I no that their getting rid of many of their 737-800s and, is it true that all of the 757-300s are going to Continental? I loved flying the 300s to PIE and getting on and off on the air stairs and seeing how long that plane was...so elegant--ya gotta love the seven-fives.

Well, since I started this...post what planes you've been on! For me I've been on: N311TZ, 314, 315, 327, and 330. Also N514AT, N523AT, N551TZ, 555TZ, N553TZ, and N560TZ. I no that 311 is with Jet Airways now. Am I the only one that kinda finds it cool knowing you've been on a plane that now flys for an airline halfway accross the world? Hmm maybe it is.

Thanks

Brian

[ExpressJet145]

Well I do know ATA pulled out of PIE, which was 30% of their revenue. (airports rev.)

[Crunk415balla]

Hmmm didnt hear of any of that happening. All i know is they were planning to possibly aquire some 717s to fill the gap between the Saab340 and 738. But they couldnt do it because of low funds or bankruptcy.

[KUMPflyer]

Well, as someone who used to work for ATA (I left on my own 2 years ago), perhaps I can help. I interviewed with ATA a few weeks ago for a position here in Indy (which even if they offered it to me the hours wouldn't have worked out) and I asked about the fleet plans. Here is what I was told. . .

We don't know. Specifically, the plans change from week to week. The latest rumor is that ALL of the 757's (200's and 300's) will be sent back. They want to get some 767's to replace the L-1011's, but they are too expensive right now. The L-1011's have outlived their useful life and spare parts are incredibly difficult to find, but because of the cost of a 767, they might put a few through D checks and keep them flying for the military. They want some 737-300's but finding a way to pay for them is proving difficult.

I was also told that while the codeshare with WN is doing well in terms of number of customers, ATA isn't even close on the customer side of things, i.e., on-time flights, customer complaints, etc.. Finally, after my interview I went and talked to a friend who still works here in Indy and she's been told that the company was supposed to break even in March but won't come even close. Also, ATA has enough cash to get through September and after that she's been told that's it - which is why she's trying to find another job. So if want to take another ATA flight, do it quick.

[Crunk415balla]

I didnt know ATA was still Using the L1011s. An employee said the DOD was using them. I'll fly them to MSP instead of Sun Country because it seems they're going under. And I wont have the chance for long.

Originally Posted by Crunk415balla

I didnt know ATA was still Using the L1011s. An employee said the DOD was using them. I'll fly them to MSP instead of Sun Country because it seems they're going under. And I wont have the chance for long.

TZ's L-1011s are still stalwarts on Air Mobility Command flights. I've seen them several times a week @ ATL. They'll more than likely pick up some 763s to replace them, as ETOPs is not an issue anymore with the AMC, as North American uses them on AMC flights. I'm surprised they haven't gotten any earlier, as there has been several occassions where TZ has had to fly a 757 down to ATL to run the ATL-DFW-ATL legs of the AMC flights because of maintenance problems with the Tritanics. The L-1011s are hangar queens these days, at least they were in the last few years Delta had them.